Abstract: The parties (12, 14) to a telephone call can exchange multimedia information by sending each other a URL that identifies the party's information. Each party may communicate its URL to the other party in the form of a caller identification message for receipt by the other party on a caller identification device (18) connected to computer (20). Upon receipt of the URL, the computer will access the Internet to retrieve the multimedia information corresponding to the URL. Rather than communicate its URL in the form of a caller identification message, each party may communicate its URL to the other in a call set-up signaling message in connection with an Internet Protocol telephone call.

Abstract: A calling party may receive an audio logo or an audible announcement during a telecommunications call. Upon receipt of the call, a switch (30) within a network (10) accesses a service database (40) to determine if the call should receive an audio logo or audible announcements during call set-up. This determination is based on call attribute information such as the calling party number, the dialed number, the carrier identification code, trunk group characteristics, and/or “II” digits; and pre-provisioned data arrays, such as lists of originating numbers, destination numbers, carrier identification codes, trunk group characteristics, and/or II digits that should or should not receive an announcement or announcements. An announcement frame (50) in the switch (30) plays the announcement(s) to the calling party, while the switch simultaneously sets up the call to the called party (70).

Abstract: The parties (12, 14) to a telephone call can exchange multimedia information by sending each other a URL that identifies the party's information. Each party may communicate its URL to the other party in the form of a caller identification message for receipt by the other party on a caller identification device (18) connected to computer (20). Upon receipt of the URL, the computer will access the Internet to retrieve the multimedia information corresponding to the URL. Rather than communicate its URL in the form of a caller identification message, each party may communicate its URL to the other in a call set-up signaling message in connection with an Internet Protocol telephone call.

Abstract: A Network Interface Unit (38, 38′, 38″) routes incoming calls to, and outgoing calls from, a plurality of telephone sets (12-22) at a subscriber premises (24). The Network Interface Unit continuously monitors for incoming calls and the availability of telephone sets. Upon receipt of a call, the Network Interface Unit determines which telephone sets are idle and applies a distinctive ring to each idle telephone set o identify the telephone line or equivalent on which the call was received. Once a telephone set goes off hook, the Network Interface Unit routes the call to that set and releases the remaining telephone sets for subsequent calls. When a subscriber initiates an outgoing telephone call, the Network Interface Unit detects the call and routes it on an idle outgoing telephone line or equivalent.

Abstract: When one party (25) to a call or connection request invokes a telecommunications service, a platform (30) monitors that request and determines whether the other parties (25) also subscribe to that service. If any party to the call does not subscribe, then the platform makes an offer of that service to each non-subscribed service. In this way, non-subscribed parties may obtain telecommunications services in a “point-of-sale” manner.

Abstract: A calling party (12) may enjoy IP network routing of a call to a called party (14) simply by dialing the called party's number. Upon receipt of the call, a network (22) accesses a service database (24) containing call routing instructions. Each record is identified by a particular attribute of a call that may include: (1) the originating number, (2), at least a portion of the destination number, (3) a Carrier Identification Code (CIC) associated with the network originating call, and/or (4) at least one characteristic of a trunkgroup on which the network received the call. If the network matches a data base record to a call attribute, the network routes the call in accordance with the instructions in the matching record, including routing the call over an IP network 16 when the record so specifies.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to support the direct billing of various subaccounts within a subaccount bill to a variety of billing payment mechanisms including calling cards, credit cards, prepaid cards, debit cards, and third party numbers. Additionally, call history between the calling party and the dialed number is used to anticipate the desired subaccount number. The calling party can overide this capability by providing a different subaccount number.

Abstract: A call rerouter routes a call through a data link when a called party is engaged in a data call. The call rerouter evokes a “T” connection in a switch that is in a connection path of the called party's call and determines whether the called party is engaged in a data call or a non-data call. If engaged in a data call, the rerouter retrieves called party information to determine if the called party is a subscriber to a data network such as an Internet Service Provider (ISP). If so, the call rerouter informs the called party through the data network that a call is waiting to be connected. If the called party desires, the rerouter routes the call through the data network to be connected with the called party. If the called party is not a subscriber to an ISP (or data network) or not engaged in a data call, the call rerouter returns a message to the calling party that the called party is unavailable.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for billing a customer for a service that is assessed independent of the calling duration or the per call cost. A service is billed and delivered during a call without the called party being present to receive the call and without operator-assisted verification. A calling party can order a service that is not delivered through the call itself.

Abstract: A telecommunications network-based method for alerting a calling party, placed on hold by the called party, that a called party is ready to communicate comprising the steps of receiving an activation signal for activating the network-based system; monitoring the called party's telephone line for availability, where "availability" refers to the situation when the called party removes the hold condition or when the called party is ready to communicate with the calling party, and informing the called party that the Call Hold Stand-by service is alerting the calling party that the called party is available. The network-based method can operate as calling party feature, independent of the called party, or as a feature that is provided by the called party to the calling party.

Abstract: A system and method to access an information or electronic service uses a single access telephone number. The telephone number is used to access a particular service provider no matter where the subscriber is located, and may be, for example, 950-DATA, 1-800-ATT-DATA, or 1-500-EASY-DATA. The system and method are particularly well suited to internet access through internet service providers (ISPs).

Abstract: A method for billing a telephone call to a called party for a telephone call between a calling party and the called party, comprising the steps of receiving a predetermined access number; prompting for a destination number, determining if the destination number will accept the cost of the telephone call; and completing the telephone call to the destination number. The method may find potential application in a situation where, for example, a child may need to call home from a public telephone, say at a movie theatre or a mall, without using a calling card, credit card, collect charging, an operator, or coins.

Abstract: The programmable cable controller in accordance with the invention is adapted to accept a time limit and a time period which are input by a viewer. A channel timer is provided to track the display time of the cable television channel and, upon reaching the preset time limit, display of the cable channel is blocked. The channel timer is reinitialized upon expiration of the preset time period. The programmable cable controller is also adapted to receive cable television programming listings and a viewer's programming preferences and to store them in memory. The viewer's programming preferences are applied to the cable television programming listings to produce a redacted listing of television programming which may be displayed on the television set.

Abstract: A computer is provided with a network planning facility, which displays in map form a network comprising a plurality of nodes each serving a plurality of subtending nodes, and in which the network is characterized by data stored in the computer. The operation of the planning facility is initiated in response to a user entering an appropriate command. Specifically, responsive to the command, the computer displays a plurality of symbols representing respective ones of the nodes, in which each such symbol is arranged so that it is indicative of the number of traffic terminations at its associated node. The user may then select, in a conventional manner, one of the displayed symbols and then invoke either an automatic mode or a manual mode.